Percy had had enough of this life. He was tired of being secluded from his people, from his siblings. He wanted to see his kingdom, the people he would be leading, and beyond that. Maps didn’t do the lands he wanted to explore justice. Swamps full of lizardfolk, the mountains to the South where Almaz came from. He wanted to visit the birthplace of Soturi, and the last grave. He was to be free.

So, he planned an escape. It wouldn’t be forever. He would never abandon his kingdom like that, but if he got even a single day, that would be enough. He asked his siblings for help, and they were surprisingly willing. It was in the dead of the night, wearing a brown cloak over his white robes, when Percy slipped out of a side door in the courtyard walls, with a key that Wendy had swiped from the guard. He planned to make it to the village and take a look around before the guards caught up with him.

He managed to make it to the village as the sun was rising. He knew his bed would soon be found empty, and the alarm would be raised. He would be reprimanded for this “careless” act of rebellion, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He just wanted one day among his people. The market vendors were just setting up when he walked onto the main streets.

The village was gorgeous. He could tell the woman in his family line had designed it instead of the men. Cobblestone pathways, stone cottage homes with flower boxes in every window. In the center of town, there was a large water fountain with pearls, the Cyprus Family jewel, engraved in the stone. Percy sat on the edge of it, taking in the village as it came alive.

As he sat there, he was approached by a few people. Some curious children asked if he was a traveler, and a few vendors offered him food thinking he was homeless. He was charmed by how kind the people were. However, soon, he heard the familiar voices of guards from the palace. They weren’t far. Percy tried to slip away, but as soon as someone shouted in his direction, he took off. He was so busy trying to put distance between him and the guards, that he didn’t notice someone in front of him before it was too late. It was a head on collision.

His first thoughts were “oh wow,” but then he heard the guards closing in. He looked at the person he ran into desperately.

“Please, help me,” he pleaded. “I promise I’m no criminal.”